E Tennessee Winds Flew My Chicken Coop

Christine Nonnenmacher is organizing this fundraiser.

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During an intense wind storm January 12, 2024 the home for my hens that I have poured so much time, energy and money into, was uplifted, spun around and flipped on its back! It was unbelievable! I'm so proud of my hens for surviving such a scary crash!!!

See full screen, coop in distance. Fair Warning: contains fowl language!

I heard the crash and looked to see what it was. While my mind was freaking and I was outwardly screaming, my heart stayed peaceful. Other than my two 13-yo dogs, these chickens are now my life’s work! I invested heavily, the majority of my life’s savings into this project and was unable to finish the necessary securing of the coop and fencing before this storm came. However, what really matters is that they are all ok!

My girls are Blondie, Bubbly, Chocko, Cocoa, Lemonade, Silver, Tammy and Wings. They are beautiful, happy, healthy and lay the most beautiful eggs for me! They each have their own personalities, buddies and foes, and are so funny too! They are an immense joy to me and entertaining to watch. On January 1st I got 8 eggs for the first time, an omen of prosperity and abundance for the new year.

Only Lemonade, probably the toughest hen was inside the coop and she’s ok. Unfortunately the coop is not!

The wind gust picked up the entire 12'x6’ coop/run, spun it 45 degrees and threw it 15 feet away, slamming it on its backside. The “crash” sound was the metal roof being crushed, folded over, and the A-frame section destroyed. Luckily most of the structure is intact enough to use but the roof must be replaced for proper function and safety.

On closer look when it was finally moved back onto my property in the original position just Wednesday 2/7 I discovered there was damage to the wood framing at the top of several beams and at the roof.

I was told by the builder I hired that due to the heavy weight of the coop, it should have been fine without anchoring. But the man who lives behind me has since carved out a 5-story portion of the mountain that provided me with protection from some of the elements, and in the process created an even greater wind-tunnel effect here in the mountain foothills. It will definitely get anchors now!

I was told the recorded winds just to the south of my area were 100 MPH that day. Several of my neighbors also had major damage to structures on their properties. It was crazy!

I know the roof replacement will be about $2-$3000 for the right roofers/experts and materials. Hopefully this can include any beam repairs. I've ordered the auger anchors which cost about $200. Luckily the structure is usable as is with small leaks but we are heading into rainy season once again.

I love my chickens, and it is very apparent how much they love their coop. I could see and feel the stress and anxiety it caused them to be uprooted and relocated when this happened.

I’m so grateful for any contributions. As a retired senior living on a fixed income, I don’t have the funds to replace the roof. I’m praying that I'll find a way. Thank you for taking time to read my story, and for relaying this page to anyone who may be able to help. Again, I am SO GRATEFUL!!!

Christine

Afton TN

Lemonade, originally Lemon because she was lemon color as a baby, pictured next was inside the coop when it went airborne. I found her standing on the leg of the inside perch just inside the chicken door looking like "what the heck happened and what now?"

The others were huddled in the corner of the run under the coop and were "freed" and ran or more likely were pushed by the force of the structure's moving and all seemed fine but for a little shock and surprise. Eventually they all followed me into the garage where within a few hours neighbors helped me move the hoop tractor and they were glad to be out of the wind. They were fine until they realized they weren't going back to their coop perch for the night and completely stressed out.

Getting back to normal has been a struggle! We had so many weeks of rain and delays but FINALLY prayers were miraculously answered and the coop is repositioned! Yay! Now on to anchoring and repairs and the finishing touches that never got done maybe. Fingers crossed! I have two signs to put up. One says "shake your tail feathers!"